Angelina Jolie unveiled a striking new look by swapping her signature long dark hair for a chic blonde bob while filming the series Anxious People in London on September 3. This Angelina Jolie blonde bob transformation marked a bold style shift during the shoot of the adaptation of Fredrik Backman’s 2019 novel.
The Oscar-winning actress was spotted on set wearing a cream-colored shawl over a matching midi dress, complemented by white heels, a slim silk scarf, and a brass brooch. Her 24-year-old son, Maddox, accompanied her, adding a family presence during the filming process. The series also stars Jason Segel and Aimee Lou Wood of The White Lotus, centering on a group of open house attendees who unintentionally become hostages during a bank robbery gone wrong nearby.
Angelina Jolie‘s Family Connection on Set
Maddox has been an integral part of Angelina’s creative projects in the past, particularly during her directorial debut with the 2017 Cambodian film First They Killed My Father. Angelina once explained Maddox‘s importance in this role, saying,
“I wanted him to research and I wanted him to help me, because of the child’s point of view also he was very useful,”
—Angelina Jolie, Actress and Director.
She reflected on the meaningful experience of seeing Maddox with his compatriots in Cambodia, sharing,
“Just to sit on set and look over and see him with his countrymen, and see him creating and laughing and being Cambodian and being happy in his land. It was everything.”
—Angelina Jolie, Actress and Director.
Angelina is also mother to Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Knox and Vivienne, who she shares with ex-husband Brad Pitt. She has often praised Maddox’s preparedness on set, telling Entertainment Tonight in 2017,
“When we did our notes in the production meetings, his were always better than mine,”
and adding,
“He’s very studious, but he’s got a wicked sense of humor and he’s very fun to be with.”
—Angelina Jolie, Actress and Director.
Maddox and Pax supported Angelina behind the scenes on her 2024 film Maria, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination. Angelina remarked to The Hollywood Reporter,
“Mad and Pax were on this one, doing AD [assistant directing] work. They’ve done that quite a few times, and I think that’s good for them.”
—Angelina Jolie, Actress and Director.
Inside Maddox’s Journey from Cambodia to Film Producer
Angelina’s connection to Cambodia began during the filming of 2001’s Tomb Raider when she visited an orphanage in Battambang searching for her first child. Although she did not feel an immediate bond with the children she met, she instantly connected with Maddox, who was born on August 5, 2001. She recounted the moment in Vanity Fair, saying she “cried and cried” upon seeing him.
Initially adopting Maddox as a single mother, Brad Pitt later joined the adoption process after their relationship began. Maddox’s engagement with his mother’s work deepened when he became an executive producer on First They Killed My Father. Reflecting on his role, Maddox told People,
“I was trying to help wherever I could,”
and described Angelina as
“fun, funny, and easy to work with. She’s a wonder.”
—Maddox Jolie-Pitt, Son and Executive Producer.
After studying biochemistry at Yonsei University in South Korea—an academic choice Angelina praised—Maddox attended a White House state dinner in April 2023, hosted by President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden for South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee.
Pax’s Early Years and Role in Angelina’s Creative Projects
Born November 29, 2003, Pax spent the first years of his life in an orphanage near Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Angelina spoke candidly to MSN in 2007 about his early hardships:
“He spent three-and-a-half years of his life in one place, in one room, in this one little iron bed with 20 other kids, and having no choice for himself to do things, having no freedom.”
—Angelina Jolie, Actress and Humanitarian.
She shared how Pax adjusted to his new life alongside his siblings.
“Suddenly, here he is in a very free situation with new brothers and sisters and a mom and dad. He’s learning English and he’s so loving and he’s wild and free ’cause he suddenly has freedom so he’s a little wild and crazy. But what a tough, remarkable little person.”
—Angelina Jolie, Actress and Humanitarian.
Pax has contributed to Angelina’s works creatively, voicing the character Yoo in Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016) and serving as a set photographer for First They Killed My Father. He attended the 2018 Golden Globes with Angelina and later worked on the assistant director team for her upcoming project Without Blood, which was filmed in Italy. Angelina has said,
“When a film crew is at its best, it feels like a big family, so it felt natural.”
—Angelina Jolie, Actress and Director.
The Story of Zahara: From Ethiopia to Advocacy
Angelina’s daughter Zahara was born on January 8, 2005, after being adopted from an orphanage in Hawassa, Ethiopia, where Maddox accompanied Angelina during the visit. The actress described Maddox’s fondness for Zahara, saying,
“When Z came home she was older, she was seven months old, so for Mad it’s like having this tiny pet he can just hold and look at.”
—Angelina Jolie, Actress.
Zahara has actively engaged in her mother’s humanitarian and creative ventures, attending red carpet events, launching the Zahara Collection jewelry line in collaboration with jeweler Robert Procop in 2019, and visiting Syrian refugee camps through Angelina’s work with the UNHCR.
In August 2022, Angelina became emotional while seeing Zahara off to Spelman College in Atlanta, an HBCU. She said in an Instagram video,
“I haven’t started crying yet so…hopefully I can hold it together.”
Zahara has since joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and supported her mother in meetings with lawmakers including advocacy for the Violence Against Women Act and the Justice for All Reauthorization Act of 2022.
Shiloh’s Growing Presence in Entertainment and Advocacy
Angelina and Brad Pitt welcomed their daughter Shiloh on May 27, 2006, in Swakopmund, Namibia. Angelina has described Shiloh as “full of light and love,” and
“a little honey, and very, very funny,”
adding,
“I think I’m recognizing some of myself in that one—she’s going to be a little bit of trouble!”
—Angelina Jolie, Actress.
Shiloh has made several red carpet appearances, including at the premieres of Unbroken (2014), Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, and the 2021 Eternals event, where she wore a Dior gown borrowed from her mother. Angelina expressed encouragement for her children’s fashion choices, stating,
“I’m like, ‘Oh my god, wear it and wear it better than me! And take it, and it’s your turn, anything.’ I’m that mom.”
—Angelina Jolie, Actress.
Shiloh has also shown interest in dance and humanitarian efforts, attending classes at L.A.’s Millennium Dance Complex. Upon turning 18 in 2024, she petitioned the Los Angeles court to legally change her name to Shiloh Nouvel Jolie, removing the Pitt surname, reportedly managing the legal process independently.
Twins Knox and Vivienne: Contrasting Personalities and Talents
Angelina first revealed her pregnancy with twins at the 2008 Independent Spirit Awards. Knox and Vivienne were born on July 12, 2008, in Nice, France. Settling with the family at Château Miraval, Angelina described life with the twins as “chaos” but joyous:
“It is chaos, but we are managing it and having a wonderful time,”
she told People, noting that Shiloh and Zahara enjoyed choosing the twins’ clothes and helping care for them.
Knox, named after Brad Pitt’s grandfather Hal Knox Hillhouse, bears a notable resemblance to his father. Angelina observed,
“Knox is a lot like Brad, emotionally and physically.”
Both father and son attended the 2015 British Motorcycle Grand Prix, highlighting their likeness.
Like Pax and Zahara, Knox lent his voice to Kung Fu Panda 3 as the character Ku Ku. Angelina commented on her children’s acting involvement,
“They were kind of shy. They don’t really want to be actors, but I didn’t want them to miss the opportunity. They came in, and they had a lot of fun with it.”
—Angelina Jolie, Actress.
Vivienne, Knox’s fraternal twin, is noted for her thoughtful and supportive nature, qualities Angelina compares to her own late mother, Marcheline Bertrand.
“Vivienne reminds me of my mother in that she isn’t focused on being the center of attention but in being a support to other creatives,”
Angelina shared with E! News.
“She’s very thoughtful and serious about theatre and working hard to best understand how to contribute.”
—Angelina Jolie, Actress.
While Vivienne successfully acted as the young version of Elle Fanning‘s Aurora in 2014’s Maleficent, she has since chosen behind-the-scenes roles. Angelina credits Vivienne with encouraging her to adapt Francis Ford Coppola’s 1983 film The Outsiders for Broadway, where the young assistant helped as a volunteer. Angelina remarked,
“She’ll correct me. She’ll say, ‘Didn’t you read the memo? We have to do this, we have to go through this.’ She’s been a really tough assistant. She takes it very, very seriously.”
—Angelina Jolie, Actress.
What Angelina’s Family Role Means for Future Projects
This Angelina Jolie blonde bob transformation has not only revitalized her style but reiterated the way family and creativity intertwine in her life and work. With her children often involved both in front of and behind the camera, Angelina’s projects remain deeply intertwined with her role as a mother and mentor. Their active participation signals a continuation of this family collaboration in forthcoming endeavors, promising a blend of personal passion and professional rigor.
As Angelina continues to embrace new challenges on screen and behind it, her family’s presence bolsters her resilience and creativity, nurturing a legacy that spans generations and mediums alike.
